Pep Guardiola was trying to avoid too much controversy after Manchester City’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Tottenham, not criticising the referee after a bizarre decision late on could have cost them three points.
It was a brilliant game at the Etihad, with Spurs taking the lead early, the home side twice going ahead themselves and Dejan Kulusevski scoring a late header to finish the scoring.
It could easily not have been the end of the goals, though, as Jack Grealish was put clear through on goal deep into injury time, but referee Simon Hooper blew his whistle to award City a free-kick in their own half for a foul on Erling Haaland.
It was extremely strange as he put the whistle to his mouth, then signalled he was playing advantage, but when Grealish was bursting through on goal he then chose to blow.
Guardiola was understandably confused, but did not want to repeat the outburst of his friend Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal boss labelled the officiating ‘a disgrace’ in a recent game against Newcastle.
‘Next question. I will not do a Mikel Arteta comment,’ Guardiola told Sky Sports when asked about the odd decision.
‘It is hard when you review the image, the referee decides to blow the whistle after he has already said to play on. After the pass, the whistle, so I do not understand this action.’
He added: ‘It was a good game, that is the most important thing. It was a pity, same as the Liverpool game, I had the feeling that today that we made an incredible performance in all departments, against a really good team and manager and how they play.
‘We created a lot of chances, we were aggressive, incredibly concentrated, and the feeling is that we still want to be there [at the top of the table].
‘It is a pity. Sometimes football is like life, you do not get what you deserve.’
The draw leave Manchester City third in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal and one adrift of Liverpool.
Spurs go fifth, two points off the Champions League places, with Aston Villa holding onto fourth spot.
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